As the NCAA Basketball tournament approaches, fans prepare for the Big Dance

By Jeffrey Dean
Sports Xtra Editor

The bright lights, the fireworks, the fire blazing bright throughout the night, it's that time of year again. Kids running around having fun, realizing dreams that have come true. Pepper spray bottles and the stench of alcohol creating an aura around the streets. Fourth of July? No, rather the pandemonium and epidemic that has no cure: March Madness.

This was the scene of the euphoria of University of Maryland students after their men's basketball team won the 2002 NCAA basketball championship. A euphoria that had built up since the existence of the basketball program, since the creation of the tournament in 1939, and had been built up through the first five games of the NCAA tournament. The excitement hit the D.C. metropolitan area with a vengeance that had not been seen since the area's previous success by Georgetown. March Madness is not a psychological state that only affects our area, despite a perfect example of the magic of March being last year's surprise George Mason, and how the success in that tournament was able to unite and popularize a commuter school, but rather it is a national celebration.

Officially, the madness, for anyone whose hand has ever graced the leather exterior of a basketball, will begin March 13th this year. Teams will have been battling with one another all season in order to fill one of the 65 spots in the tournament. As the season slowly winds to an end, some teams will become locks to be selected in the tournament and others will most definitely be out of contention, but few teams will remain on the bubble. Inspired by the dreams of going to the tournament and winning it all, these teams are the first to exhibit any sort of behavior related to March Madness, as every game becomes important in their quest to be selected for the tournament.

In the end, the committee that selects the tournament is only able to truly select half of the field, as half of the teams that gain entry to the tournament will have done so by either winning their conference tournament or regular season title. These teams are still subject to the seeding of the committee. The other half, the at-large bids, will have to wait until Selection Sunday, March 11, and will have to navigate through CBS's broadcast of the selection to see if they were selected. As teams grow madder waiting for the end of the show and the seeding, which only adds to this March Madness, the bubble teams wait powerlessly.

After the committee has announced the tournament field, which is always subject to critics, one of the greater traditions of March Madness begins. Empty brackets (the tournament field is laid onto a bracket showing the steps that each team will have to take to get to the championship game which lies in the center of the bracket) will be printed out and become a fan's ticket to a cash prize. Betting pools resurface and regroup from last year, filled with grumpy losers and one often obnoxious returning champion.

"I would say Mr. Commons and Mr. Valentino seem to know their basketball," said AHS English teacher Bill Maglisceau, a prime example of the tradition of AHS's own betting pools.

Each partaker fills out his or her own bracket in the manner that they believe the tournament will play out. Point systems vary, usually awarding more points for picking upsets and the winner's of games deeper in the tournament.

These annual events are so common that many would be surprised to learn that betting, even in a NCAA tournament pool, is illegal in Virginia. Nobody, however, would be surprised if cops themselves succumbed to March Madness and have precinct centered betting pools.

The tournament then begins its domination of TV ratings, and college and NBA arenas throughout the country the Thursday after Selection Sunday. The tournament is unique because of how it is spread throughout the nation, so that not just one major city can participate and fill the stands, as in many other championship environments.

Continuing with the distinctiveness of the tournament, the first round of games is often the most bizarre. The field is organized so that the teams who faired the best during the regular season play those who are the worst in the field, which is fair. Within each four sections of the field, there is a 1 seed and a 16 seed (the lowest), and in the history of the tournament a 1 seed has never lost to a 16 seed.

The opportunity for a low seeded team, most often a small school, to play a 1 seed, most often a large popular school, is a very original aspect of the tournament. The championship in college football is decided by a game against the number 1 team and the number 2 team in the country, so there is no real chance for a phenomenal upset. While the 16 seed has never prevailed against a 1 seed, many small schools have beaten a large and superior school, which is the quintessence of March Madness. When a small school, like George Mason, gets on a roll beating big team after big team, it captures the attention of the nation. These Cinderella stories, such as Villanova's infamous championship victory against juggernaut Georgetown in 1985, give the tournament added appeal.

The tournament advances, dominating TV screens Thursday through Sunday, and then water coolers Monday through Wednesday. The numerous down to the last shot finishes leave people cemented on the edge of their seats and helps the field progress through the rounds that have been laced with alliteration over the years (sweet sixteen, elite eight, and final four-see bottom of the rail).

The madness diminishes into two schools that duke it out for the title. The key to March Madness is that 18 days before the championship game, everyone is on an even playing field. Your team may lose in the first round, but you can always hitch a ride on another team that will beat a team it's not supposed to. These moments will give you enough of a taste of the excitement, you will be head over heels in the pandemonium of March Madness, or maybe you will find yourself on-top of a car, building a bonfire on your college campus just as they were in Maryland five years ago, in the biggest March Madness induced moment of your life.

A parent and his son tell the story of their journey across the U.S. Mexican border

By Waliha Gani
International Editor

Darkness. Fear. Loneliness. Survival. These were the only thoughts and feelings swimming through junior Carlos Galicia's father, Federico Galicia, as his wife, with baby Carlos inside her womb, were crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.

Federico's story
With illegal immigration becoming more of a tumultuous issue than ever before, Galicia tells his story of coming to the U.S., and the obstacles that aroused once he arrived.
In order to camouflage with the dark night, one must wear dark clothing to prevent chances of getting caught.

"My wife and I didn't even know we had to wear dark clothes, so we came out wearing white shirts, and ended up wasting time to go back to buy those black, long shirts," said Galicia.

The lonely night
"When my wife and I were crossing the border in long walks, there were a bunch of other groups with us. But as we were jumping the fence, we were alone. No one is there to help you. It's all you. The only person you care about is you and you only."

When Galicia and his wife arrived in the U.S. safely 17 years ago, he felt a mix of fear and hope.
"We were always afraid of getting caught. We were just fearful of someone coming out and catching us. But then we also felt hope for starting new life,- better life," said Galicia.

Being an illegal immigrant in the U.S. is all about the work--long hours of day and night labor.
"I worked at Roy Rogers at night and had construction work in the day time. Even with two jobs, it was barely enough, we were still struggling," said Galicia.

The biggest obstacle for Galicia was learning English and American culture.

"When I first came here, I faced a cultural shock, and at first it was hard to adapt to the new system, and pass the language barrier. There were times when I just didn't understand what people were saying to me at all," said Galicia.

Life in the U.S. was tough, but Galicia feels the opportunities the U.S. offers was greater than the negative circumstances he was facing.

"We lived in a two bedroom apartment with six people, but I realized the importance of being bilingual and the many doors America opened up for me and my family," said Galicia.

Galicia's decision to come to the U.S. has greatly helped his 17- year- old son, junior Carlos Galicia.

Carlos's story
"If I lived in Mexico, an environment that is conclusive to living under poverty level, I wouldn't have accomplished anything over there," said Galicia.

Similar to many other immigrant students at AHS, the best opportunities America offers lie within the realm of education.

"America offers me an education of higher accreditation. Back in Mexico, I wouldn't even have passed middle school. I wouldn't have accomplished anything in my life," said Galicia.

Many students tell their story and experiences of the beginning of a new life

By Vanessa Cerro and Waliha Gani
International Editors

One cramped apartment, two rooms, and six people. That is the life of junior Luis Pac who has been living in the U.S. as a resident for almost six months. Pac decided to come to the United States for a better life.
"It's really hard to be an immigrant because one wants to have opportunities, and in our countries we don't have that. We come over here and try to get a better life," said Pac.

The United States has been overwhelmed with the major immigration issue that has been occurring over the past few years.

Many students believe that more harm than good done to the nation than good with immigrants coming into the states.

"They're not paying taxes, and they get free health care," said junior Lane Craggs. Even Pac who migrated from El Salvador agrees.

"We practically don't adapt to their culture and that's why they say that we're not associated with them. From not learning English to being in a country that's not ours," said Pac.

Another reason why people from around the world pack their belongings and more to a foreign country, is for education.

"I think the main reason for my brother and I to move to American was to get an education," said junior Cam Nguyen who emigrated from Vietnam seven years ago.

Nguyen began her life in Vietnam with her parents and siblings. Nguyen's parents decided that they needed something more to make the best out of their children's lives as well as their own.

"We came to U.S. to unite with our family. It's corrupted and its really bad in Vietnam," said Nguyen.

To some students who immigrated, the feelings of insecurity, and homesickness began to haunt them after being away from their homeland.

"I wanted to go back at first, I have all my friends back in El Salvador, but it's less of me missing them over here because I have the support here and some friends, but more because my family is altogether. Over there I felt lonely, I would say, "it doesn't matter, I want to go through land," said Pac. Land meaning that he'll go through Mexico to get to the United States.

For senior Julio Salvatera who is from Bolivia, it became more of an insecurity problem when he got to the United States.

"At first when you get here, you feel insecure, you feel that it was a good option to join a gang because you'll be respected and no one will mess with you, but than I got thinking and I thought, 'the world doesn't end here and the world end there if I get into this,' said Salvatera. "I was really close (to joining a gang) but I decided not to, I thought of my parents and how much they would suffer, and the pain that I would cause myself," he said.

For Pac, stepping onto U.S. soil was one step closer to a better lifestyle, economically. "I wasn't going to go to school, I was going to work to pay for the rent because I sleep with one brother and my mother sleeps with my other sibling," said Pac. "That's why my mom said I should study to get a better job because they say if you don't speak English than you can't get a good job. But since we have papers and I have the opportunity to go to school I should, and that's why I'm studying now."

The challenge for Salvatera is to try and keep the money coming, while attending school full time and trying to graduate.

"I work part time cleaning right now," said Salvatera. "But I want to achieve into becoming a doctor one day."

Some Students speak out that Hispanics are only a disturbance in country, and that they do not have a positive impact on our society. "In school for example a majority of fights between gangs are mostly immigrants," said junior Allysa Gray. There are always immigrant strikes in D.C and they can cause riots."

But Salvatera does not agree that Hispanics do not have a positive impact on society. "What gringo (Caucasian) would want to pick up trash or clean bathrooms?" said Salvatera. "We immigrants do make the difference, in the aspect of working, and how we work. Because if you compare the American people, they don't like to do what we do, what American would like to do construction? There is nothing else for us to work in, because the government doesn't permit it. If its not immigration, it's the police keeping us from there. American people like to be well seated, but we like to show that we are hard working people," Salvatera said.

"In my country there are illegal people who go there to work, so we can't say anything because their country is poor and they go looking for jobs at our place, said junior Luis Garcia who is from the Dominican Republic. "We can't be inconsiderate because they don't have jobs in their country. It's the same thing when illegal people come over here, because their countries are poor and here they have so many opportunities.

Perspectives on one specific ethnic group such, as Hispanics is not always positive. "I think ghetto (when I think of Hispanics) because of the way they dress and present themselves," said junior Ngan Hoang. "Just like in movies, they're stereotyped."

Garcia has his own story to tell on his perspective about Hispanics, especially one of the biggest stereotypes, Hispanics and gangs.

"I'm Hispanic and I didn't know what gangs were until I got here. In my country, I had no idea what that was, I think it's so stupid," said Garcia.

For Nguyen, coming to America was beneficial for his/her education, but made life more difficult than back home.

"In my opinion our life would have been so much better if we had stayed home because then my parents wouldn't have to start over again," said Nguyen. "My mom has to start over going to college and trying to get a graduate degree, and at the same time working. My parents let our big business go in Vietnam to be with our family and to have a better education."

In the end, many just want to pursue a happier life than they would have had back home.

"I want to go to college," said Garcia, "I'm in the drama club, I have good grades, so I'm good in school."
"My dream is to finish school and prepare myself more for a career, said Pac. I want to study engineering."

By Layluma Hotaki
Entertainment Editor

On Nov 19, 2006, what were you doing? Senior Earl Lacefield was in line camped out in front Toys 'R Us in Kingstowne Plaza. The reason for this you might ask? He was the 109th person in line out of 500 people waiting to purchase the new gaming system Nintendo Wii.

"I probably could have sold my spot in line for $200," said Lacefield. "But it was fun because we watched movies and played Connect 4."

This gaming system, worth around $250 is the most revolutionary of it's kind. Since Lacefield bought his Wii on the first day of release, 3.19 million others were sold.

Wii creates a more interactive game that create and argument against the parents who don't approve of video games for their children. Is America really too fat? Wii might be able to change that because it enables you to move your body. You motion along with the game as if really playing the game. For example, if you are playing baseball, you must hold the censor bar as if it's a real baseball bat and swing it that way, too.

It has changed the way you play games. Usually you play with a controller. "Old games are boring because you keep pressing buttons and nothing else. With a Wii, you can sit and stand," said senior Samson Belay.

Belay received his Wii as a gift for Christmas. Along with the Wii he received four games as well. Games for the Wii sell as high as $70.

"It's different than any other gaming system that's ever come out. It has a censor bar and a wireless controller," said Belay. "It makes you feel like you're actually playing it."

The Wii also connects to the Internet so that you can do many things such as looking at the forecast of the entire planet. You can also watch local, national and world news through the connection.

Another great feature of this gaming system is that you can buy points (through the Internet) from a credit card and you with those points, you're able to buy games from older Nintendo systems. These games include classics such as Super Mario and Donkey Kong.

"You can also plug in [Nintendo] GameCube controllers and games into the Wii," said Belay. "After I found that out I sold my GameCube and made some money."

Another gaming element this system has is that you are able to create your own "Mii" which is your own character that plays for you. You are allowed to dress your "Mii" in any clothes and change the color of its eyes, the shape of its face, mouth and nose. Anything you can think of, you can change it.

After uploading it to the controller, you have a portable "Mii" to play with and can take it to a friend's house and plug it into their Wii.

While some kids play this game everyday, like Belay, for only an hour or so, Lacefield doesn't play everyday. When he does play, it can be for about eight hours.

"I play a lot more when friends are over," said Belay. "I also play with my little brother and sister so that's fun."

Of course with every gaming system's upside, there's a downside, or two. Lacefield said that the bad thing is "that the censor bar won't always register your movements." Also, the censor bar needs batteries to operate and they only last about two to three weeks.

"When you play video games, you get kind of lazy so the Wii makes you work extra which can get annoying at times," said Belay. "You can sweat playing this game."

Another downside to this game system is that the more people that play the game, the less space there is to play the game and move.

Lacefield said, "Even though it has some bad parts about it, it's still a really good game to play if you like sports because it makes you feel like you're playing the sport."

"It definitely set the bar for future gaming systems," said Lacefield.

Social studies teacher pushes for a Gold Star license plate in Va. to commemorate the Iraq War

By Lucas Higgins
Staff Writer

In honor of what has been a longer-then-expected, very drawn-out war, many states are now approving license plates designs that commemorate soldiers and the war struggle itself. A dozen or so other states, including Wisconsin and Illinois have already adopted these Gold Star license plates. License plates are a good way to keep people constantly thinking about the war. Obviously, we have all been touched by the war in one form or another, but those with family members involved in the war are cursed with never-ending worry and concern until their loved ones come home.

However, even this is a pleasant thought when compared to the worst-case scenario. One of our very own staff members, Social Studies teacher Greg Commons, lost his son, Army Ranger Cpl. Mathew Commons, in 2002. Mr. Commons started pushing for these commemorative Gold Star license plates to be adopted in Virginia, and after extensive and constant effort over the last two years; a victory is finally at hand.

Two weeks ago, Mr. Commons received word from the Virginia Motor Vehicles Department that a designed Gold Star license plate has reached the Virginia state bureaucracy and has been approved. This is a great relief when you consider the draining process of getting this plate signed into law finally.

"I first saw an online article on a Massachusetts website about a woman who got a license plate approved similar to mine. She had lost her son," says Mr. Commons. "So I erroneously contacted Senator John Warner, who referred me to Delegate Amundson. Eventually it was incorporated into a transportation bill and signed into law by Governor Kaine."

Usually, a minimum 350-signature requirement is put on potential bills, but they are exceptions every now and then for cases similar to Mr. Commons'. Very late in the process, Mr. Commons was informed that if he did not have the proper amount of signatures, the license plate did not stand a chance to get passed. "I called Delegate Amundson and explained the situation. Within an hour, I had received an apology," says Mr. Commons.

Now that it has been approved, the license plate will serve well as a constant reminder of where we stand in Iraq. Some of us forget at times what exactly is going on over there, and what exactly our some of our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, parents, cousins and other family members are facing on a day-to-day basis.

Security developments continue to help AHS reduce vandalism, violations and crime

By Ebony Chambers
Staff Writer

Have you ever felt like you were being watched? Well, you are. Three years ago AHS was one of the first schools in Fairfax County to have security cameras installed. There are now nine cameras installed outside around the school.

"I have seen the cameras but I never thought that the administrators or whoever actually paid attention to them and watched the cameras to see what was going on outside," said junior LaToya Potts.

According to Safety and Security Specialist Cliff Cornwell, one of the main reasons the cameras were installed was to catch people that were breaking into student and faculty cars. Because of the addition of the cameras, as well as new administrative changes, AHS has become one of the safest schools in Fairfax County, said Cornwell.

There are nine cameras located on the outside of the school. One is near the gym that can see the senior parking lot, and one is in the back of the school to view the trailers, the sidewalk area by the church and the side of the school. Another camera is by the automotive shop, overlooking the teacher parking lot. There is also a camera near the main entrance of the school to monitor visitors and students entering and existing the building.

Each entrance to the school has a sign informing everyone that comes onto the property that their movements are being monitored.

The cameras record 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If something happens on school property, then police, security officer Kenny Williams or Principal John Ponton may go back to a certain day and review the tape to determine what happened and who was involved.

A number of incidents have occurred, with trespassing being one of the most frequent. "The cameras have helped us catch a lot of trespassers that have come onto the property and vandalized the school's property," said Cornwell. However, "certain incidents like fighting, and students skipping class have went down due to the installation of the cameras."

The cameras have been successful in protecting and preventing violent acts around the school.

"The most recent incident was on Dec.17, 2006, when a trailer was vandalized during the day. It was written on and had several windows broken. After reviewing the tapes, we were able to find out who had vandalized the trailers," said Cornwell. With further investigation the situation showed that the "trespassers were not students but people from Maryland."

According to the Fairfax County Public School's Profile, AHS's School Safety Report Card shows a decrease in serious incidents and fights in the past three years.

Changes in security and the changes in administration, such as the addition of Ponton, new administration staff and security cameras have caused a positive change here at the school.

"I think that the cameras were a really good idea," said junior Victoria Smith. "They make me feel a little safer when I come to school knowing that there will be a less likely chance that someone would come onto the school property and cause problems, like the Columbine in Colorado."

City schools, such as Fairfax High School, have cameras inside of their school. Lake Braddock Secondary School has 43 cameras around the outside of their school. At AHS there are only motion detectors in the hallways, which are mainly used in the evening when the school is closed.

"I think the cameras were installed to help protect the students here at Annandale. Unlike many schools, Annandale is making the school safer to help us feel comfortable about coming to school and not having to worry about something bad happening to use during the day," said senior Carissa Dezort.